Dominical, Uvita and Ojochal remain small towns at the moment. Ojochal and its significant French-Canadian and European immigration has probably grown into the largest community of the three, and a growing number of people are buying residences in the area.

The village, which lies a couple of kilometers off the main highway south of Dominical, is quite spread out. It has a few shops, including a grocery store and a pulpería, but for the most part it is a residential area with a handful of tourist ventures and an surprising number of rather good restaurants (reportedly over 30.) The area has some good ocean views, though not as nice as those found in Uvita or around Dominical. 

Dominical, though probably smaller than Ojochal, is the most well known area along this stretch of highway. The place has a spring break vibe that’s a little rough around the edges, with young surfers and backpacker types riding the bus in to hang out and catch waves. Some of the expatriates who have stayed have built lovely vacation homes in the forested hillsides behind this small fishing village. Plenty of people have rediscovered their inner hippy here, finding the place to be the perfect antidote to their hectic lives. Others simply want a quieter life for their families.

Dominical lies just off the main road (it’s extremely easy to miss) where the Costanera highway coming south meets the road to San Isidro. The crossroads has become a hub of restaurants and backpacker and surfer shack hostels, along with some touristy souvenir shops. It’s a fun and lively place that’s growing at a reasonable pace, and though the immediate beach isn’t the most beautiful, the many to choose from in the area leave little to be desired.

The hills behind Dominical and south into Escaleras have some of the best views in the area and prices have risen accordingly. These areas have the kind of endless ocean view framed by thick rainforest that most people can only dream about. A few developments are going up in the area, and they’ll be discussed further on.

The first impression of Uvita is that it feels a little abandoned. Main Street and its shops are on a rather parched-looking parcel of land with no real planned space. But if you actually park and get out, you’ll find the town has a couple of nice cafes, a local watering hole, a realty office, and a grocery store. You’ll also notice how friendly everyone is. In all, despite its somewhat blasted initial appearance, Uvita has a nice vibe. The town’s location between Dominical and Ojochal makes it ideal for development into a main service town, and there is enough buildable land available to make that happen. 

{module Properties in the Southern Pacific}